The seeds for the second period were sown in the first, when Bridgeport controlled play at even strength but couldn't capitalize on three power plays.

Kris Newbury scored on the Whale's first power play after Matt Gilroy's blocked shot came right to him. Kyle Jean scored on a short-handed penalty shot with just over five minutes left in the period to make it 2-0.

Bridgeport outshot the Whale 19-15 in the first, though. At even strength, the ratio was about two-to-one.

"We got goals against, but we felt we didn't really hold back," Niederreiter said. "We played our game. It was unfortunate with the penalty shot, but we were still playing our game.

"We knew the goals would come."

They began on a power play after Sean Collins knocked Niederreiter down, taking an interference penalty. Cizikas deflected in a point shot by Travis Hamonic (three assists) to get Bridgeport on the board.